News and notes

Jim Coleman Company was presented with Baylor University's Institute for Family Business’s 15th annual Texas Family Business of the Year Award for Large Family Business to Jim Coleman Company.

More than 100 companies across the state were nominated for the award, which honors businesses that demonstrate a commitment to their family and are responsive to the needs of their employees, community and industry.

Valvoline Instant Oil Change has combined forces with the Buffalo Bills and the Niagara Falls Air Base to host the "Hometown Hello" support the troops campaign.

The campaign encourages customers of Valvoline and local residents to sign large — garage-door-sized — greeting cards for the troops in order to show their support.

Buffalo Bills' Drew Haddad and Rian Lindell were the first people to sign the cards. The cards are on display for signing, and the campaign is also accepting tangible donations at most of the company's local oil change centers.

Greased Lightning automotive care products have been named the "Official Cleaners" for the racing series.

The Greased Lightning car will make its debut with Bainey, Jr. in the first race on the USAR Northern Division schedule on April 9, 2005 at the South Boston Speedway in Virginia.

People

Brad Lager, partner for the Lager Carwash, was chosen to head the Missouri House Budget Committee.

Rep. Ron Jetton, who chose Lager for the position said that Lager is committed to cutting spending, prioritizing programs, and uses his business knowledge to more efficiently and wisely spend taxpayer's dollars.

Colonel Oliver North will be the featured keynote speaker at The American Oil Change Association’s (AOCA) Annual Convention & Fast Lube Expo on April 25, 2005.

The convention will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, where North will assess the United States' role in the world in his presentation titled "America in the New Millennium."

North has over 20 years experience as a US Marine, was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts and is a former staff member of the National Security Council.

Libby Nagle of Wilton, CT, won Splash Car Wash's 2004 Wash It and Win It contest.

She won the grand prize — a 2005 PT Cruiser convertible — at the "Start Me Up Party" thrown by Splash.

Nagle was number 54 out of a total of 68 key holders. Each of Splash's 16 locations gave away four keys per week, plus four bonus keys were given away on local radio stations.

Carwash owner, Travis Day, has been honored for his contributions to the Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers in Alabama.

Day reported his strange find — a wig, T-shirt and red baseball cap in the trash at his Splash Car Wash to the Madison County Sheriff's Office and helped investigators catch a suspect in an armed robbery of a Union Planters Bank branch.

The group recently honored Day with a Crime Stoppers plaque for his efforts, which exemplify the goal of the program.

Wichita, KS used car dealer Brandon Steven acquired a new car dealership and carwash and has extensive renovations planned.

Steven, partner and president of Brandon Steven Motors, will be the new owner of Subaru and Isuzu franchises. Steven plans to spend an estimated $4.2 million on renovations and new equipment for the dealerships and his nearby carwash.

As part of the project, a drive-in customer service center and a new showroom will be added onto his Rock Road Car Wash.